Dissertation_A Bick_May 25 - DataSpace at Princeton University

While the resolution as a whole shows that Zeeland's arguments had been decisive, the final
clause suggests that the decision was made rather hastily, likely without consultation with
representatives of the company. 70 As the directors, who were still assembled at the meeting of
the Heren XIX in Amsterdam, immediately recognized, it was hardly just to seize ships and
cargos that had been prepared for shipment to Brazil before December 27, when private trade to
Brazil was still legal. On January 3 Van Arnhem reported to the States General that the
directors—who had for months been feuding amongst themselves—were unanimous in their
view that the resolution should be revised to allow these ships to depart unmolested. 71 The States
General at first refused; it then passed a second resolution calling on the company to take control
of the confiscated ships and their cargoes in return for a “fair market price.” This turned out to be
equally unacceptable, because the company did not have nearly the resources that would have
been necessary to compensate so many merchants simultaneously. 72 Finally, after intervention by
the delegate from Holland, the States General backed down, and allowed a limited number of
ships to sail. Part of the rationale for their decision may have been the fact that several of the
ships were carrying military and other supplies for Maurits and members of his extensive
entourage. 73
It is unknown whether a vote on the question of free trade ever took place within the
Heren XIX. Under normal circumstances the directors sought consensus, but on particularly
contentious issues decisions were made by a simple majority, with the senior representative of
Geconsenteerden handel verclaerende dien volgende verbeurt ende Geconfisqeert alle de schepen ende goederen die
derwaers near dare deses uyt dese Landen.”
70 Boxer, The Dutch in Brazil, 1624-1654, 78.
71 NA 1.01.04, inv. 5754, fol. 274. The report is dated January 3, 1636.
72 NA 1.05.01.01 inv. 39, fols. 59-60v. Extracts of the Resolutions of the States General dated January 3, January 5,
and January 7, 1636.
73 NA 1.05.01.01, inv.nr. 39, fol. 60.
192